Genito-urinary appliances



Aug. 21, 1956 c. v. MAINS GENITO-URINARY APPLIANCES Filed July 15, 19552 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES l/. MAI/V3 BY M M ATTORNE YS Aug. 21,1956 c. v. MAINS GENITO-URINARY APPLIANCES Z-Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July13, 1953 FIG. 5.

INVENTOR CHARLES ll. MAINS ATTORNEYS United States PatentGENlTfl-URINARY APPLIANCES Charles V. Mains, Kingston, Pa. ApplicationJuly 13, 1953, Serial No. 367,465

9 Qlaims. (Cl. 128-295) The present invention relates to a combinationof genito-urinary appliances and is more particularly concerned withapparatus especially adapted to provide convenient and efficientelimination where the discharge is through an opening in the abdominalwall.

In some cases a catheter is introduced through a stoma formed on theouter surface of the abdominal wall for direct connection with thekidney or bladder. Since the thus inserted catheter must be worn more orless permanently, a severe strain is placed upon the redirected ureterwall. A suitable and adequate water receiving device is of primaryimportance in minimizing irritation and providing complete mental aswell as physical comfort in use.

The principal object of this invention is to avoid pain and eventualdamage to the kidney due to back pressure by eliminating any direct tubeconnection to the extending outlet end of the catheter when worn andplaced in the abdominal wall to receive the direct discharge.

Another important object is to provide for complete removal of thecatheter when desirable and to manage the urinary discharge with littleor no leakage of the same from the receiving and collecting receptacles.

A further important object of the invention resides in the provision ofa bladder bag that may be worn with complete comfort while standing,sitting or lying, which will permit completely unobstructed dischargeflow in any of these positions, and which may be worn inconspicuouslyand with a minimum of leakage possibility.

More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide abladder bag that includes an inflatable rubber ring element adapted tofit over the stoma and conform itself to the adjacent surfaces of theabdomen, receive the direct discharge from the stoma or from theadjacent end of a catheter inserted in the ureter wall, and provideatmospheric vent means for the bladder bag that may be convenientlyadjusted to use in upright or lying position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of anelongated, flat bladder bag having an opening at the top portion of oneface defined by the inflatable ring member, and having an outlet conduitfor air venting arranged in particular relation at the top of the bag.

A still further object is to provide a bladder bag having air vent meansincluding a valve structure that may be operated to vent the bag toatmosphere or to prevent such venting completely, and to provide forventing of air through the valve while preventing any substantialoutward flow of liquid.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bladder bag ofthe character described with a ring element mounted between theinflatable ring and the adjacent face of the bladder bag for relativerotation to accommodate belt support as the bladder bag is turned froman up and down position for normal daytime use to a horizontal positionfor nighttime use when the wearer is lying on his side.

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Another object of the invention is to provide an irrigating devicehaving a stoma and catheter receiving opening formation adjacent the topof a flexible waterproof sheet member, an inflatable ring memberintegrally mounted around the opening formation, a belt attaching ringdisposed between the inflatable ring and the adjacent face of the sheetmember, and an outwardly exposable face on the sheet member providedwith a lateral continuous retaining wall and terminating in a lower edge.liquid discharge opening.

These and other objects contributing to flexibility of use of theinvention, its comfort and its dependability will be more apparent fromthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front perspective view showing in partially separatedposition the relation of the principal appliance and its auxiliaries tothe body of a user;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the same appliance in operativeassociation and secured to the torso and one limb of the user or wearer;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the vent valve structure takenon line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the irrigating device or appliancefor separate use;

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view showing the principal appliance inposition for use at night while the wearer is lying on his side in bed;

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the irrigating device in use whilethe wearer is reclining on his side in bed;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the principal appliance and the adjacentportions of the wearers anatomy showing use of the appliance; and

Fig. 8 is a front perspective view showing a modified form of the beltattaching ring.

The purposes, construction, operation and use of the genito-urinaryappliances of this invention will be presented more fully by referenceto the various figures of the drawings.

In Figs. 1 and 7 an elongated, flat bladder bag 10 of rubber or likeflexible material is shown as having a large circular opening on oneside face adjacent the top, an attaching ring 12 of noncorrosive metalor similar material encircling the opening portion, and a supportingbelt 14 of light web material adjustably attached at its opposite endsto the ring. The bottom of the bladder bag 10 is formed with a dependingdischarge conduit 16 having a semi-rigid, non-collapsible top endportion and a lower end portion of flexible, but not readilycollapsible, rubber tubing material.

Fig. 2 shows the manner in which the bladder bag 10 is continuouslydrained into a leg attached reservoir 18 having at its upper inlet end ashort, rigid drainage tube connection 19, and at its lower end a valveddischarge opening 20 of conventional construction. Both the reservoirbag 18 and its supporting apron 22 and belt 23 are somewhat similar topreviously known commercially available construction but modified forthe purposes of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a partial section of a portion of the abdominal wall of aperson in which the normal discharge of the kidney through the ureter tothe bladder has been diverted so that the ureter may discharge directlyfrom the abdominal wall through a stoma S formed therein.

It will be briefly mentioned at this point that for nighttime use thereservoir bag 18 and its connection are replaced by a long length offlexible rubber tubing 24 having a detachable connection with theflexible lower end portion of discharge conduit 16 from the bag 10 andextending to a large reservoir bottle 25 or the like for I convenienceand safety. In traveling, at large hot water bottle suspended from acoat hanger in a waste paper basket may be used for convenience.

Fig. 7 also clearly shows the manner in which the deformable, inflatablerubber ring 26 conforms itself intimately to the abdominal areasurrounding the stoma S, providing comfort and adaptability in use aswell as substantial sealing of the bag enclosed space.

When used, a small flexible catheter tube 27 is arranged to extend fromthe stoma S downwardly in the bladder bag 16* to a short distance above.

Referring to Fig. l as well as Fig. 7, it will be noted that theinflatable ring 26 is equipped with an upstanding inflating conduit 28provided with a conventional valve cap closure and valve assembly 30. aThe top of the bladder bag it) is formed with an upwardly extending ventconduit 32 having at its outer end a vent valve 34 which may be adjustedto vent or closed position, as desired, by manual operation. The ventconduit 32 is substantially noncollapsible and is arranged approximatelyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the bag it), and to one side of theinflating conduit 23. By this arrangement, the vent valve 34, whichordinarily is opened only for night use, is in the most favorable upperposition shown in Fig. 5, when the bladder bag is attached to the muchlonger and less straight drainage tube 24. For such use it is veryimportant that the bladder bag ltl be vented to the atmosphere byopening the valve 34, and thus preventing a vacuum that would cause theliquid to remain in the bag or even flow back thereinto. it has alsobeen found necessary to open the vent valve 34 during air travel at highaltitudes.

The details of the vent valve 34 are shown most clearly in Fig. J. Atubular valve body 36 threaded internally at its opposite ends is formedwith a dividing part 38 having a valve port 40 engageable on the upperside by a threaded valve stem or closure plug 41 having a flat end 42.The valve plug 41 is also formed with a lengthwise bore 44 having alateral discharge passage 46 above the lower end 42 and the valve port40. Below the valve port 4i? is a valve chamber 43 containing a valveball 50, which is of floatable material, and of sufficient size to closesaid port 4-0 on the underside. The bottom of the chamber 48 is definedby a lower threaded valve stem 52 having a through bore 54 terminatinginwardly in an apex which tends to keep the valve ball 50 off center. Aflat baflie valve element 55 comprising a length of rubber tubing may,in some instances, be detachably secured over the lower or inner end ofvalve stem 52 to insure further against retention of water in the bag10, and consequent leakage around the pneumatic ring 26.

For venting or nighttime use the valve 34 is opened by slightlyunscrewing the valve plug 41 to a position above the port 40, thusallowing air to pass through the bore 44, lateral discharge passage 46,port 40, chamber 43, and bore 54 to a tubular connection 1%, and longtube 24. If because of movement of the wearer while sleeping, or anyother reason, there should be a change in elevation causing fluid to runfrom the reservoir 25 or tube 24 back into the bladder bag 10, theaction of the float valve ball 50 when fluid reaches the valve chamber48 will be such as to close the port 40 and prevent any undesiredleakage. Freedom for movement of the user is provided by a singlecoiling of tubing 24 and the attachment of the coil to the bedding atone point, as illustrated in Fig. 4. It is preferable to use a flatpiece of webbed belting (not shown) under the wearer to avoid tears inthe bedding and the possibility of puncturing the rubber sheetcustomarily used.

The details and arrangement of the detachable connections for the belt14 are shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. The relatively rotatable metalattaching ring 12 is formed with diametrically opposed tabs 56 havingslotted apertures 57 extending crosswise thereof. Both tabs 56 areindicated in Fig. 2 and one of them is shown in detail in Fig. 1, itbeing understood that they are identical;

A buckle plate 58, preferably of stainless metal, is detachablyengageable with each tab 56 by reason of an inturned hook 60 formedthereon for insertion in the respective slotted apertures 57. At itsouter end the buckle plate 53 is formed with an inwardly directed beltreceiving slot 62. A pivoted clamp 64 closes the outer end of the slot62. Intermediate the length of the belt receiving slot 62 andtransversely thereof is mounted a pivoted sleeve or rod 66 having a pairof sharply pointed tines 68 projecting laterally therefrom forcooperation with the clamping plate 64 in firmly securing the endportion of the belt 14 at any position required for the size adjustmentnecessary. Once the belt has been adjusted by securing of the respectiveends to the oppositely disposed buckle means, the bladder bag it) can beeasily and quickly separated therefrom by merely freeing the hooks 6%from the slotted apertures 57 of the tabs 56, 56.

When irrigation of the catheter wall and/ or the kidney at regularintervals is required in order to maintain a healthy condition, anirrigating apron device 7t as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is provided. Theirrigating device 70 includes the inflatable ring 26 adapted to extendaround an opening for receiving the stoma S, and also the belt attachingring 12 which is relatively rotatable in its position between theinflatable ring 26 and the adjacent face of the device. The apron partof the device '1' ti comprises an approximately rectangular sheet 72 ofrubber, or the equivalent, with a surrounding side wall portion 74 ofinturned U-shaped formation. The side portion 74 is preferablycontinuous except for a short opening at the lower edge of sheet 72defining a transverse discharge edge 76.

The manner of using this irrigating device 7% is shown in Fig. 6 inwhich the user is lying on his side in bed and the device is supportedin a downwardly extending manner by the belt 14. A pan P is placed onthe bed alongside the user in a position to receive the discharge end ofthe irrigating device '78. To avoid the possibility of leakage whenexchanging with the bladder bag 10, it is desirable to place a strip ofordinary wax paper W between the irrigating device m and the body, asshown. A gentle irrigation of the ureter wall is accomplished by meansof a syringe device D connected with a sterilized length of cathetertubing 27 inserted in the stoma S as indicated. The drainage from suchirrigation is permitted to flow freely down the apron device 7t! throughdischarge edge 76 and into a pan P. The side wall portion 74 of theapron device 70 effectively prevents any lateral spillage of thedrainage fluid, and helps hold the catheter tube 27 out of the drainagefluid in pan P while refilling the syringe.

It will be seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the bladder bag 10with its supporting belt 14 and inflatable sealing ring 26 may be usedto maintain the catheter tube 27 in operative relation to the stoma S,the ureter wall indicated in Fig. 7, and the inside of the bag itself,in a way found to be safe, convenient, and comfortable, in cases whereretention catheters are not useable. While hitherto reliance has beenplaced on unsanitary adhesive tape to bind the catheter tube 27 into thedischarge position of Fig. 7, the irritation and other objections tosuch anchorage has been completely eliminated by the use of a gauze padG and several lengths of dental floss F or equivalent waxed ornon-absorbent type thread material. Two pieces of the thread or floss Fare looped around the catheter and tied thereto with a square knot toprevent loosening. The pairs of ends of each piece of floss F are thentied with several knots approximately one-half inch apart, and the thustied floss F is extended in opposite directions as shown in Fig. l. Theknots will prevent the floss retaining units formed in this manner fromslipping out from under the body engaging area of the inflatable ring26, without materially effecting the sealing action of said inflatablering. In this fashion the use of adhesive tape around the catheter or onthe body of the user is eliminated. Generally upward directing of theprotruding ends of the floss F as shown in Fig. 2 is preferred from thestandpoint of support, access, avoidance of wick action, and preventionof disturbance of the seal of the ring 26 in the area where liquid ismost likely to be present.

The supporting and retaining action of the floss F on the catheter tube27 can be still further improved by the use of a small strip of preparedgauze G about one and one-half inches long and three-quarters inch wideformed with a small hole to one side of the center lengthwise, anddisposed between the loop portions of the floss and the end area of thestoma S. As further indicated in Fig. l, the upper ends of the two flosslengths can be threaded through the upper end portion of the gauze G soas better to hold the gauze in place. The moisture absorbent function ofthe thus disposed gauze G is also beneficial, and protects stoma S fromfloss friction irritation.

A modified belt attaching ring 12a, formed as shown in Fig. 8, can beused to advantage in maintaining the opposite end portions of the flosslengths F in the required catheter retaining positions, either in theupright day use position of Fig. 2, or the night use position of Fig. 5in which the bladder bag has been turned approximately 90 degreesrelative to the ring. The modified ring 12a may be used in place of thering 12 in the trough or V formation between the inflatable rubber ring26 and the bladder bag 10, or in the irrigating apron device 70. Thering 12a differs from ring 12 in that its apertured tabs 56a are formedby striking out inwardly inclined flanges 56b that are adapted to engagethe adjacent surface of the inflatable ring 26 and thus better hold itin relative position of angular adjustment. By also forming a pluralityof spaced cleat or notch elements 560 on the upper peripheral portion ofthe ring 12a, provision is made for quick and positive securing for eachpair of extending ends of floss F that are tied to the catheter tube 27.Three such elements 560 approximately 90 degrees apart are provided sothat the approximately horizontal and vertical positions of the twopairs of ends of floss F may be securely held in either the day or nightposition of the bladder bag 10, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5respectively.

The use in combination of the bladder bag 10, the catheter 27, theinflatable body sealing ring 26 of the bag 10, and the protruding endsof floss lengths F binding the catheter and holding it in the requireddischarge position of Fig. 7 permit everyday use of the genito-urinaryapparatus of this invention with comfort and security not hithertopossible.

The free, continuous drainage from the ureter wall through the catheter27 to the lower portion of the capacious but relatively non-protrudingbladder bag 10, and the relatively large unrestricted discharge openingfrom said bag provided by integral discharge conduit 16 and flexibletube 17 leading to the rigid drainage tube connection 19 of the legsupported reservoir bag 18, or connection 19a of the night tubing 24,are such as to permit venting of air from the reservoir bag 18 at alltimes and avoid any sound of liquid discharge.

The apparatus of this invention also facilitates bathing or the takingof a shower with a minimum of restrictions, since for this purpose theflexible end of discharge conduit 16 may be separated from the rigidtube 19 and bent over and held closed at the discharge end by means of arubber band wrapped around the same, or by other commercially availableclamping devices. With such an arrangement the wearer may move aboutfreely for a reasonable time. After bathing, the bladder bag 10 can bedried and the supporting belt 14 replaced with a dry one.

From the construction of this apparatus it will also now be understoodthat Washing and deodorizing of the various parts can be accomplished ina very simple manner. In particular, the vent valve 34 can be easilydemounted and cleaned.

Although numerous specific advantages of the genitourinary apparatusprovided by this invention have been mentioned in the precedingdescription of construction and operation, the contribution made canbest be summarized by stating that the apparatus makes it possible forthe wearer to live a practically normal business and social life, torest more comfortably at night, and by reason of the absence of allapparent and unnecessary projections and gadgets, to be physically andmentally at ease.

Since only a preferred embodiment of the apparatus has been described indetail, it will be understood that various modifications can be made indetails of construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe principles of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongatedbladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side openingat the top of one face and a small non-collapsible, free dischargeconduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally securedaround the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, agenerally flat attaching ring of non-corrosive metal or the likeencircling the outside of the large side opening and disposed betweenthe bladder bag and the adjacent side of the inflatable ring, saidattaching ring being formed with opposed belt connecting means and beingrelatively rotatable on the bladder bag, a non-collapsible vent conduitextending upwardly from the top end of the bladder bag, and a handadjustable valve means at the outer end of the vent conduit for openingand closing the same.

2. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongatedbladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side openingat the top of one face and a small non-collapsible, free dischargeconduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally securedaround the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, agenerally fiat attaching ring of noncorrosive metal or the likeencircling the outside of the large side opening and disposed betweenthe bladder bag and the adjacent side of the inflatable ring, saidattaching ring being formed with opposed belt connecting means and beingrelatively rotatable on the bladder bag, a flexible catheter tube havingone end portion depending into the bladder bag, and having its other endportion extending outwardly through the large side opening of thebladder bag and being adapted for insertion into an abdominal stoma ofthe user, a non-collapsible vent conduit extending upwardly from the topend of the bladder bag, and a hand adjustable valve means at the outerend of the vent conduit for opening and closing the same.

3. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongatedbladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side openingat the top of one face and a small non-collapsible, free dischargeconduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally securedaround the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, a flatattaching ring of non-corrosive metal or the like encircling the outsideof the large side opening and disposed between the bladder bag and theadjacent side of the inflatable ring, said attaching ring being formedwith opposed belt connecting means and being relatively rotatable on thebladder bag, a flexible catheter tube having one end portion dependinginto the bladder bag, and having its other end portion extendingoutwardly through the large side opening of the bladder bag and beingadapted for insertion into a stoma of the user, a non-collapsible ventconduit extending upwardly from the extreme top end of the bladder bag,a hand adjustable valve means mounted in the outer end of the ventconduit for opening and closing the same, a detachable drainagereservoir having an inlet therein, and a short, rigid drainage tubeconnecting the free discharge conduit of the bladder bag with the inletof the drainage reservoir.

4. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongatedbladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side openingat the top of one face adapted freely to receive a free, depending endportion of a catheter tube, and having a small non-collapsible, freedischarge conduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ringintegrally secured around the large side opening on the outside of thebladder bag, a non-collapsible vent conduit extending upwardly from thetop end of the bladder bag, and a hand adjustable vent valve mounted inthe outer end portion of the vent conduit, said vent valve including aported valve seat, a valve plug disposed outwardly of the valve seatadjustable to and from closing relation to the port of the valve seatand formed and arranged to provide discharge to atmosphere when not inclosing relation, a valve chamber formed inwardly of the valve seat, anda float valve adapted to rise against and close the valve seat, saidvalve chamber being formed with a vent bore in open communication withthe vent conduit.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which said vent valve also includes aflat baflie valve element in the form of a length of rubber tubingmounted over the vent bore end of the valve chamber.

6. The combination of claim 1 in which the generally flat attaching ringhas apertured tabs in diametrically pposed positions; and including ahook member engageable with each tab aperture, each hook member being ofplate formation with an inturned hook on one end, a belt receiving slotformation in the other end, a clamp pivoted to the ends of the slotformation and a pivoted rod formed with belt engaging tines extendingacross the midpart of the slot formation; and a flexible belt having itsends engageable by the tines and clamps of the respective hook members.

7. The combination of claim 1 in which the generally flat attaching ringhas apertured tabs in diametrically opposed positions, an inwardlyinclined flange within the aperture of each tab, and a plurality ofspaced notch elements on its peripheral portion between the tabs forsecuring the ends of catheter retaining means extending outwardly frombeneath the inflatable ring.

8. The combination of claim 1 in which the hand adjustable valve meansincludes a valve chamber with a valve element movable therein for entryof air into the bladder bag and prevention of liquid outwardly throughthe valve means when the valve means is open.

9. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongatedbladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side openingat the top of one face and a small discharge conduit formed in itsbottom end, an inflatable ring integrally secured around the large sideopening on the outside of the bladder bag, an attaching ring encirclingthe outside of the large side opening and disposed between the bladderbag and the adjacent side of the inflatable ring, said attaching ringbeing formed to provide opposed belt connecting means, a flexiblecatheter tube having one end portion depending into the bottom part ofthe bladder bag, and having its other end portion extending outwardlythrough the large side opening of the bladder bag and being adapted forinsertion into an abdominal stoma of the user, a piece of gauze of asize to fit within the inflatable ring and having a small openingtherein through which the catheter tube passes, and lengths of threadtied tightly around the catheter tube on the surface of the gauze remotefrom the user, the end portions of said threads being adapted to extendoutwardly beneath the inflatable ring for retention of the catheter tubewhile preserving the sealing relation of the inflatable ring against theabdomen of the user.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,677,641 Kinney July 17, 1928 2,122,121 Tillotson June 28, 19382,133,130 Buchstein Oct. 11, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 637,978 Great BritainMay 31, 1950

